O-kay! 5K grosses 8K for the Kay

5K runners head for the streets of Rockdale as fourth annual Kay Theatre Run/Unrun starts in a light fog Saturday morning on Main. The fourth annual Kay Theatre 5K Run/Unrun grossed $8,000 toward restoration of the Rockdale landmark as 139 persons participated in the event Saturday.

That means the event has raised about $40,000 in its four-year history. The previous three runs netted a combined $35,000.

"We had a great late turnout," Les Davenport, president of the Kay Theatre Foundation. said. "I know we had 50 sign up that morning."

Overall winner was a familiar name. Melvin Tomek of Round Rock added a Kay Theatre run title to his numerous 5K wins in other Rockdale events.

Tomek has now won at least 10 Rockdale races, dating back to the first Save Richards Memorial Hospital runs and continuing with multiple wins in Dewberry 5K runs.

"Honestly, I've lost count without going home and looking at the trophies," Tomek said. "I know I've won at least 10 races in Rockdale and it may be as much as 12."

Kids Kay runners got the morning off to a lively start in their 1K event prior to the adults' race. Kenyan natives Jacob and Hellen Rotich, who had won several 5Ks in Rockdale over the past two years did not participate Saturday.